May 2, 2011

Family-
     Thanks for all of your Letters!  I wil have to read them better on my camera later but I am excited!  Stephy I saw your pictures that Jake sent out . . what an angel of a little boy . . AH man!  I will wait for some pictures of our house and the latest family adventures! . . . (you guys should send me more of those : ] )  Love to all . . . CTR Conserve Tua Rota!  Love you all - Elder Johnson

To All - 
          ALRIGHHHTY then!  The week was a good one and all is well of course : )  We had the baptism of Isabelly this week, an awesome 11 year old who went to church 4 weeks in a row alone(that includes getting the bus and everything)!  There is a rule here on the mission that anyone younger than 15 has to go 4 times or have a family member that is active in order to be baptized. . . so missionaries don't go around baptizing young people who will soon be another inactive member.  Anyways, she is a cutie and is truly a bright young girl.  She will be a great example to her parents who both drink and wouldn't even go to watch her baptism.  punks.  
          I got a call this week . . from my last comp.  He was at Messias' house (the man/family I almost baptized before leaving that area, who was smoking)  and he passed the phone over so I could talk to them.  They told me that the whole family had made the decision to be baptized and that Messias was done smoking.  One more 'full joy' moment.  She was going to pass the phone around but they were all crying and no one could talk haha.  Love them!  What an awesome family they are and will be, wish I could have been there for the baptism!    
          Like I already said, we live here in a house of 6 missionaries (the only house like that on the mission) and we don't have lunch nor dinner with members. . . So we have to make our own.  Last thursday was our day and we left in the morning to buy the stuff.  When we came back, the door was locked and we had no way to get in.  So what do you do? . . . I started trying to bend our little metal window thingy that we have on the door and saw that it just MIGHT work.  I found a rock and stick in the street and using the little muscle I have left and the slighty knowledge I have about the power of leverage. . . I got the gap open wide enough for my comp to throw his arm through the window and open it up.  Long story short, we broke into our house, proved that it was possible, and made an . . average lunch. . . haha.  It wasn't as tasty as the first I'll say that much!  
          We are excited about the work.... juicing our minds of every idea we might have to get and keep the branch here a little stronger.   This week we will start English class to see if we can get to know a ton of people who live around the church and then convert their families : )  . . gotta be blunt right? . . that is why we are going to do the class!  gotta run!  Love you all!!
-Elder Johnson

April 25, 2011

Family-
         Well Heidi I got a letter off and I hope you had a wonderful birthday and I hope that ALL of you had a great easter weekend.  I am SO glad that we have an understanding of how to celebrate such a great time. . . here it is many times done with aloholic drinks and many things of the world.  I am SO excited to get pictures ; ) and news about this new angel that has come into our family!  Dad, I will have to read your e-mail later I didn't have time but thanks for taking the time!  - Elder Johnson

All-
        Happy Easter to all!  What a wonderful.  We wished we could have shared it with more people on Sunday.  We had a long list of 16 + people to go to church with us on Sunday. . but long story short, it just didn't work out for them.  We had worked super hard and had very high hopes, and so we were both pretty bummer. . . but we decided we would stay here on the mission and not give up ;) haha  God is surely giving us some tests and seeing what we are made of.  I know that our righteous desires (which is to strengthen this branch here in barbalha) will be granted!  
       One man that we are teaching named Damião is a real high hope of ours.  We need priesthood here and he could be that for us.  He used to collect trash for the government here and the last time we were over there just as we were going to teach about the Book of Mormon and explain to them what it was, he told us to wait real quick.... a minute later he appeared with a book of mormon that he had found a month or so ago while collecting trash.  He had felt the desire to keep it and so he held onto it.  He had read a few parts, and the way he held it with such care, showed to me that he really felt of its sacred nature.  
      I can't let Easter go by without leaving my testimony of our Savior.  I heard a testimony a while back that I would like to make mine.  I know that the Savior lives.  I know that in the coming day, I will be able to feel the nail marks in His hands and in His feet.   And I won't know any better then, than I know now, that he lives, and is the Savior of the world.  

Gotta run. . no more time. 

Happy week for all. -Elder Johnson

I had some fun pics to send.... but this computer is super struggling and so that just isn't going to happen!

April 18, 2011

Fam -

  First off..... You'll have to send things Sunday night because we are going to use the internet earlier now on Monday!

Hales. . don't think that you are going to stress me out with a letter. . . if worst comes to worst I can take a picture! 

I hope all is well!  First week here went great. . . stinkin awesome companion.   Heidi. . . happy b day comin up! .. . I didn't get a letter off in time : (  But I think you should get some kind of message from me : ) we'll see.    Love you all!

Ps. Would it be more convenient for you to come get me at the end of my mission?  . . let me! know!

To all-

      Well, we (me as the guide with four new missionaries) caught our bus at 9:30 tuesday night and started the 8 hour jouney that I took 1 year ago to start my mission . . only a few changes. . . now i was the one that knew where I was going and I can now speak the language.  I also wasnt the one starting my mission but now returning to my first zone!  We got here at 7 and after showering, were ready to head out.

      They call it Zion here. . . love the Interior.  It is a whole different world in Barbalha... google it haha.  Here are some pictures the show a little bit about it.  Dirt/sand roads, small houses, and animals everywhere.  We are currently focusing on getting a strong priesthood base to get this branch here set-up for success in th future.  We live in a house of six missionaries and we also make lunch because there are not enough members to do it.  My comp an I made Panquecas this week . . it is like a crepe but with meet and food and not sugar-y stuff  . . it was delicious. 

    My companion is the man, Elder Ingersoll from SLC - Cottonwood HS who just spent 8 months as Exc. Secretary.  He has a year and 7 months on the mission and is also planning on marrying his girlfriend who has waited for him. . . I am invited to the wedding already  ; ).  Our Zone here is stacked with 6 elders that used to be ZL's and are now training here . . which also means that we have 6 new missionaries in the zone!  There are certainly challenges but with 100% harmony in the companionship and the same goal to be successful and obedient, we know the Lord will help us here. 

     A drunk guy told us this week that the devil showed up at his house and said he was taking us down with him . . . Elder Ingersoll kept provoking him asking "really??....He came to your house?..... appeared to you?" . . I was at his side dying of laughter. . . it was so bad my legs went jello and I had to prop myself on a wall. . . I love laughing, always in the appropriate place and times right?  I am sure (if he even saw me) the drunk man will not remember me laughing at him.

    I killed a spider this week the size of the palm of my hand... the WHOLE palm of my hand.  I saw it on a guys back and said to myself "He HAS to know it is there, it is so big he must feel it. . . it is probably his pet" . . long story short, I told him it was there and he got nervous haha, grabbed the brush out of his hand and knocked off of him . . and he lived . . whew! 

   Seeing as how I spent the first 6 months here at the beginning of my mission, the people I baptized found out that I was coming back to the Interior. . . when we got here at 7am on Wednesday there were some people waiting at the bus station to greet me.  A family that we baptized and a young man as well.  I got a little choked up in seeing that they were all doing well and that almost everyone we baptized is doing well and most are leaders in the branch now.  One more moment of true joy in my life. . . how awesome it was to have that reunion as 'brothers in the Lord.'  We are already planning to eat lunch at their house and spend a pday together.  I have to run.  Love you all!  Until next week! -Elder Johnson

April 11, 2011

Fam-
     Dearest family-
           Oh, my dear family-
                      My loved ones!-
                               Family-
                                           Thanks for your e-mails Mom and Dad.  I didn't get details about the ward splits and what-not but that is A-O-Kay sounds like something big changed! : ).  Mom, how exciting about your wood floors!! haha I laughed just imagining Haley and her clients hearing the pounding!  Think about the memories that were made on the lenoleum floor!  I won't even recognize our family or house in a little bit...goodness!  Dad I can't believe that it might be possible for you to get that mazda!  haha Good luck!  Or as my old companion says it ...GOO-JEE LUH KEY haha.  Love you all! 
 -Elder Johnson
p.s. - I had one more person come out and tell me that their daughter had fallen in love with me. . . Oh dear, why do people have to make things awkward . . luckily I am leaving this area haha!  When people say things like that. . . I just act like it was never said and erase it from the records of History!  

To all-
           So this was a week of success and also change!  We were able to baptize Vitor who is 11 and had a great desire to be baptized.  The miracle was the fact that his whole family (none of whom we really expected to show up) we able to go to the baptism.  We left Sunday morning in the rain and as we saw from a distance Vitor's Dad we couldn't believe it!  Then...His Mom, Brother...other Brother... almost everyone!  They were all waiting on the corner for us sheltered from the rain.  At the baptism everyone made Vitor feel like a million bucks and everyone helped the family feel super welcome. . . I really dont know what happened but it seemed as if everyone was on "welcome to church steroids" the family was swarmed, hugged, invited, thanked, greeted, loved ect.  His Dad even stood up in the baptismal service to give thanks and talk a bit (He talks a LOT).  Interesting thought was that the day before the baptism he had told me that Vitor wasn't ready. . . talked him outa that one quick!  Now he just needs to get married and keep going to church so his family can be eternal!!  
         Sad as it is, I am not going to be able to see the baptisms of some AWESOME people that we are teaching and that the Lord truly prepared for us.  I am being transferred back to the interior!  I wish you could all understand how there are almost 2 different missions here....Fortaleza and the Interior. . . I started in Juazeiro (Interior) . . . came to Fortaleza.... and now I am going back!  It is seriously a different world out there!  Animals in the street, farm, lots of slang, etc.  The church has only been in the city that I am going to (Barbalha- BAR BALL YUH) for a year and a couple months.  I am super excited to see many of the people that I baptized at the beginning of the mission that are really like family to me.  I hope to be able to help the zone as well!  I will be living in a house with 6 missionaries!!  Including my 2nd to last companion Elder J. Santos.  . . ...  I can't express my excitement!  My great friend Elder Bills is going to be taking my place in my current ward which will be sweet!   Spent time yesterday and today saying goobye and thanking the wonderful people here.
         Forgot to mention that last week I was able to play ping pong forever. . . I am thankful for many nights of practice with my friends, dad, brothers, powdered doughnuts, chocolate milk, and slurpees that prepared me to be declared the champion hahaha.  
        The mission is a Joy.  It is a back breaker at times, but take it on with a smile and some prayer, and it all turns out well. . . Grab a stick and make a bow out of wood instead of complaining about the broken steel . . . and it makes everyone else happy including yourself!  (NEPHI : D) . . . Love you all!  
-Elder Johnson
p.s. Now I will get letters every month or so . . . whelp, what can ya do? haha



VITOR who was baptized this week. 
Some goodbyes with members and also with missionaries!

April 4, 2011

Family-

I didn't even have time to read all your messages, but I took pictures and will read them tonight : ) Beej thanks for the updates and the picture!  I will have to finish reading the quotes later but I am already amazed by how much your little girl has grown! 

 I'm so glad are family is happy and safe, something I pray for every night.  

Mom, congrats on the new hair doo! haha sassy was how your described it right?  You make me laugh.  

Haley- "Naaathan's here....." . . that popped into my head this week. . . it is amazing how powerful words can be...for good or for bad.  I hope you have forgiven me for that by now!

My love goes out to all, I hope conference weekend was a trip to heaven and back for all of you as it was for me.  My love

Elder Johnson

To all -

    Well this week started out with our roommate heading home.  He just didn't want to be on the mission anymore.  He seemed so happy the day before he was going home, and I was so sad for him... He was smiling more, talking more, and I just didn't understand it.  We tried to help, but he made up his mind.  I asked him bluntly if he was even sad at all that he was going home, told him that I was sad for him because I knew what he would be missing out on, and left it at that.  All I can do now is pray for him.  The missionary that came in his place is Elder Dias from Rio de Janeiro...awesome guy, crazy ripped, he's a street dancer, break.... 

       speaking of which....He did a little break dance for our combined ward talent show and I sang 'im' yours' by jason mraz.  To say the least, we only practiced twice RIGHT before doing it and it went well haha.  You just gotta smile and no one was understanding anyways!  forgot the words, sang for the first time like that in front of people, and it was a success in my book...even with forgot words and a trembling hands haha... Hales, you'd be proud of me... I would send the video if it wasn't too big!

        Yes, we did baptize Joseph Smith this week.  He and our friend Leandro were both baptized and I sent a picture of us all.  I think his story might even be coming out in the ensign but who knows.  It was a special week for sure

        On to the conference topic.  What a spiritual feast.  We spent the morning hours and the time in between sessions running around trying to remind people and take people to the church. . . I think worry about others and all that we had to do made it so much more valuable and special when we were finally able to sit down and be edified....rather then wake up late on saturday . . . walk around the house, and without leaving home, watch conference from the family room . . . we are super spoiled.  

             Just a few of my thoughts and feelings.  I, as my mother said she did as well, felt as much the spirit in the words of the hymns and songs as I did in the talks themselves.  I am convinced that the hosts of heaven were there to shouts their praises along with all of ours.  To testify of the truthfullness of all of these things.  I am convinced that heaven is not so far away.  It is close around us.  There are truly angels in our midst, literally and figuratively.  I feel their strength, I draw upon them to help me keep going.  If there is something that was said in conference that I have also learned on my mission, is that if you are looking for an easy church to be a part of, IT IS NOT THIS ONE.  I was truly edified by all the words spoken this weekend and I am already excited to review them.  I would say that the words that have re-run through my mind are those on the difference of BEING and DOING.  Let us truly BE and not just DO, as well as DO that which we know we should become of who we have BECOME.

              I have total faith, and complete trust in the Lord my Savior.  When we pray, God answers, and this is no small things... Especially as a missionary... I know that when we ask in faith, our righteous desires will be granted, after all we can do. 

           I hope you all loved conference as I did!  I think I love it 100 x more than Christmas. . . what if they were on the same day?! . . . NOW THAT would be PERFECT!  I felt the heavens around me this week, and my heart is filled with gratitude!  Let's go DO and BE this week!  Love you all! 

-Elder Johnson

March 28, 2011

Fam-

   Thanks for the letter from Adam mom I took a picture and I will read it later!  

Hales... the songs didn't work... it just isnt meant to be! haha

Loved the updates Stephy!  You had me cracking up thinking about Bug praying out of impacience and Savvy's hilarious drawings. . . I hope everyone still loves you when you are grumpy ; )  I know they do : )  hehe.  I LOVED the pictures and I will print them off soon!  The blog excepts really is a great idea cause it keeps me super updated and I can have a brief glimpse of what is going on.  

Sad news for BYU but what an AWESOME season.  God put my on the mission this year so I wouldn't dislike the Jazz for the rest of my life and get super frustrated with byu for not making one more free-throw.  : )

So much love to all of you!  Still can believe how fast time is flying.  yikes.  

Hales, thanks for the picture as well!  

I received and replied to letters from Mom Dad and Hales!  Dad thanks for the article, the journal thoughts and the thought you sent out to the family.  Your letter will be sent out tomorrow!  I am sorry I don't get more handwritten or even e-mail off to you.

A minha família é realmente só o filé. . . gíria, pois eu acho que vocês não vão entender, nem poderão usar o tradutor eletrônico! . . . até mais!

To all - 

Man these weeks are just flying by.  I had the pleasure of seeing a young man that I baptized in my 2nd area this week.  He has been a members now for 5 months.  He and his  girlfriend are both going to go on missions and he is curently serving as the ward sercretary.  I just can't put in words the joy that comes with this service.  Seriously it is something deeper than any smile that you can put on a face, but something that touches the heart in an indescibable way.  

         I also received an e-mail from a young man in my last area today who told me of his joy in seeing his siblings being baptized.  He told me that his mother is currently reading the Book of Mormon and that he is already taking a missionary preparations course as to be as prepared as he can for the mission that he is planning to serve.  One more great big smile on my face.  I love these people.

         We are currently teaching a young man named Joseph Smith.  Yeah, the biggest coincidence EVER right?  His mom heard the name when she met the missionaries YEARS ago and gave him the same name.  He is 14 years old and told us that he ponders a lot about which church is true.  Identical story.  He went to church for the first time this week after having met the missionaries 2 years ago and afterwards told me that he had recieved his answer...(that the church was true).  In the end, we are planning to baptize Joseph Smith this week and the week after we have marked the baptism of a man named Messiah and his family.  I will keep you informed but if all goes well we will soon be baptizing the 2 most important men in the history of the world!  hehe.  In all seriousness, we will be praying fervently this week for Messiah to be able to stop smoking...your prayers could also make the difference.  He has smoked for 22 years and never tried to stop.  Miracles can and will happen!

Slept in a hammock for the first time two nights and and again last night. . . successful. . . I am turning Brasilian finally. . maybe.  Haha. 

I am 100% stoked for conference and I hope that all of your will be able to watch all the sessions!  I know that as President Eyring said, if we seek in each word, each hymn, each prayer of this conference, the guidance of the Lord, we will receive His will for us.  I know more than ever that Thomas S. Monson is THE prophet of God on Earth, and that The Book of Mormon is true.  Without these two things, we have no religion!

Love to all - 

Elder Johnson : )

P.S. - - There is a new hit in our house on Pday . . it is called "Hopscotch"

March 21, 2011

Famm-

Hales... I had the strange urge to tickle YOUR foot the other day while I was scratching mine... weird?  yes.  I also wanted to get an update on your Book of Mormon placing and if you have been able to follow up at all... Thanks for the pictures of the truck and all : )  Love ya

Heidi Thanks for the pictures as well!  They seriously say a thousand words... maybe more when I am a billion miles away!

Mom!  Go ahead and send those shirts!  I would love to give them to someone!  If you do send something, throw in a few more deodorant sticks... that is one thing they don't have here!  other than that... charleston chews and reasons are the only things comin to mind ; ) haha.  I am very glad you got your pictures and your note... I was also slightly brought to tears as a thought about all that you have done for me and all that you mean to me.  A thanks isn't enough.  I love you, and love you all family.  I pray for you and feel your prayers as well. - Elder Johnson

 Dad I wanted to thank you for your example quickly.  I read a talk this week about parents being teachers through example.  I thought about the many times that I impaciently called your name from the family room and waited for a response. . . . when you didn't answer I was obligated to get up and go to your office . . . Just to find that you had either fallen asleep studying your scriptures, or your were on your knees in prayer.  Your example in everything is a blessing to us all.  Thank you.

Ps. Does anyone know why obama came here?

 

Mom I am sorry but I will just leave a small clipping that you can add to the message for all the missionaries!

 

Hello my stellar friends!  I didnt have time to write a long message but I wanted you all to know that I am alive and that all is well. . . I haven't eaten anything SUPER weird but I have found a few hairs now and then.  I love every minute of this work.  If I had any advice it would be to give all of your MINDS to this work. . . that would have to be the hardest part!  Love you all! -Elder Johnson 

 

 

All -

           Well.  I just simply don't have time to write today . . . sadness.  Haha.  We were able to have a wonderful and simple baptism this week.  Marcos was baptized on saturday and is already advancing in the priesthood.  We have been working side by side with our bishop which has been a great blessing.  He is a perfect example of someone that just simply needed a friend and some direction in his life.  Played soccer today, burnt my neck, and got a hair cut... ... life is simple on the mission... it has to be that way so we can keep our focus and make the best out of two short years.  I think that is what pres. uchtdorf meant when he gave his talk about "the things that really matter" in this last conference... Give that a read when you have a chance.  I know that this is God's kingdom on Earth.  Just think about that phrase a little. . . God's Kingdom on Earth. . . It says it all.  What a blessing and a calling to be better.  Love you all.. - Elder Johnson

I just realized I totally forgot to send pictures... but I don't have time... they'll have to wait!  sorry!